DR. BRYAN CEPEDOZA
FOR AUGUST 6, 2023
A Question & Answer Session
on Pneumonia with
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza
(Part 1)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Greetings to you, Dr.
Bryan. We will tackle a new subject matter today.
This is all about pneumonia. I am sure, a study of
pneumonia is one of your favorite fields, you being
one of the top pulmonologists in the country.
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Thank you!
TBT: What is pneumonia? How would you define it
in simpler terms?
Dr. Bryan: Pneumonia is an infection. This infection
could affect one or both lungs of a human being.
Medical books and references would tell us that
pneumonia causes the air sacs, or alveoli, of the
lungs to be filled up with fluid or pus.
TBT: What may cause pneumonia?
Dr. Bryan: Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may cause
pneumonia. Bacteria are a common cause of
pneumonia in adults. In our study of pneumonia,
we learned of the many types of bacteria that can
cause pneumonia and one of these is
Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called
pneumococcus bacteria).
TBT: Very informative.
Dr. Bryan: Let us remember that this Pneumonia is one
of the lung diseases. The bacteria can enter our lungs. It
could also be a virus or a fungus that could enter our
lungs. When the virus, fungus or bacteria enter our
lungs, these will multiply and these can cause and
damage to our lungs.
TBT: Is it true that that one of the causes of
pneumonia is the sweat that is not wiped dry in our
bodies?
Dr. Bryan: That is not true! The drops of sweat that
come out from our bodies are not bacteria nor, viruses
nor fungi. So they do not cause pneumonia. Dili tinuod
nga ang maka-ingon sa pneumonia mao kanang
singot nga ma-uga sa atong lawas. Do not believe in
that myth.
TBT: Here is a question from a radio listener, Dr.
Bryan. The question is: What is the difference
between bacteria and a virus? Between a virus
and a fungus?
Dr. Bryan: Okay. A bacterium, according to medical
books again, is a member of a large group of unicellular
microorganisms which have cell walls but are lacking of
organelles and an organized nucleus, including some
that can cause diseases. To elaborate, bacteria are tiny,
single-celled living organisms. There are millions of
different types of bacteria. Many can be found in and on
your body and could be beneficial to you. These bacteria
make up your microbiome, which would keep your body
healthy. However, there are other bacteria that can
make you sick.
What about the virus? This is an infective agent that
typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein
coat; this is too small to be seen and this is able to
multiply only within the living cells of a host; yes, within
the living cells of a host. Viruses are microscopic
organisms that can infect hosts, like humans, plants or
animals. They’re a small piece of genetic information
(DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell or an
envelope. Please note that viruses can’t reproduce
without a host.
Let us now go to the fungus. This is any group of spore-
producing organisms feeding on organic matter, which
would include molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.
It is any typically filamentous organisms formerly
classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include
molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts.
Now, what is fungus on the human body? Fungal
infections are any disease or condition you get from a
fungus. They usually affect your skin, hair, nails or
mucous membranes but they can also infect your lungs
or other parts of your body. You’re at higher risk for
fungal infections if you have a weakened immune
system. (To be continued)